Tesla Model X Spied Testing at Former Naval Air Station

As we pointed out earlier in January, the Model X crossover SUV is going to be use pretty much the same powertrain as the D-ified Model S sedan. All-wheel drive and two electric motors, all nicely wrapped in 60 kWh, 85 kWh and 85 kWh Performance grades to suit everyone’s needs. We already know how the X looks like in concept format, but this is the first time a mule has been filmed.

YouTube’s Juan del Real uploaded a clip titled “Testing of Tesla Model X” and told in the vid’s description that “The Tesla Model X being tested at the former naval air station in Alameda, CA. I was at the skatepark and just happened to notice the Model X being driven on the adjacent runway. The video was shot with an iPhone 5 while zoomed-in all the way.” H/T to you, Juan del Real!

As you can see for yourself, the clip beings with a rolling start of the heavily camouflaged Tesla Model X prototype, followed by a full-on emergency braking test. After these, the test driver flicks the crossover SUV in circles, which shows a fair bit of body roll. But the sound of those squealing, tortured tires made us get excited whether the mule was testing the 691 HP / 687 lb-ft (931 Nm) powertrain of the Model S P85D.

It’s maddening how all that black&white camouflage hides every single exterior detail from sight, but the overall shape of the test mule resembles that of the Tesla Model X Concept we know and love. As we highlighted in our previous coverage of the Model X electric crossover SUV, the new model is due to be launched in the second half of 2015, with a "delivery estimate for new reservations” slated for “early 2016."